chelle

A pub club Friday? I may make it on the later side, already have some evening plans. Is it the Tractor or somewhere else? How late will people be sticking around? Michelle

Hey Dwayner, my thoughts were with all of you guys drinking beer and talking climbing spray in person. Hoepfully that counts. Anyways instead of hanging with you all, I was toasting success on Cayambe with Margaritas in a very cool hacienda in Ecuador. We topped out yesterday morning around 7 am. It was spectacular. Views of high peaks eveywhere we looked. We were even treated to a star shower (equivalent to the sun showers we get when it rains but the sun is out...) we couldn't figure out where the snow was coming from since there were stars everywhere and no wind. Very cool. But then again maybe it was the lack of oxygen and the fact that it was around 4 am, with no good sleep since two nights prior. The trip is going great and I can't wait to tell all of you about it at the Jan 29 I think that's a Tuesday) pub club. I'm claiming Ballard for that night so I can drink and walk home. See ya'll then! In the meantime, drink some good beer for me, they only have weak pilnsers here. Not even as good as a Coors... Chao!

The race between Caveman and Dru for the most posts falls in one of the two categories but I'm undecided as to which one. The best thread that kept me laughing for weeks was about how climbing is girl repellent. You boys crack me up! Now that I actually know some of you it is even funnier.

I just bought an Olympus 80 point and shoot. It's auto, has a zoom, and several auto flash settings for different conditions. I am planning to take this camera on a trip south next week instead of my Cannon EOS, because of the weight savings. I was planning to shoot slides, but based on some of the comments here am not sure if they'd turn out. Any thoughts?

Glad I started this thread. W- I like your zen attitude. It's something I've been striving for, but backslide into our culture's planning and assessment traps. Perhaps a liability of my current profession - marketing/strategy consulting... Norman - I totally agree with your thoughts on gut instinct. Your story was interesting and fortunately turned out not to be a tragedy. Until I got injured from not trusting my gut, I never truly valued it. In 1996, I chose to go snowboarding in blizzard conditions, even though it was only my second day on a board. My gut told me it was a bad decision, but I ignored it figuring if it sucked I would just retire to the lodge. On the second run I caught an edge and fliped over backwards on a steep section and sprained my neck very badly. Instead of retiring to the lodge, I retired from just about any physical activity for nearly two years. Now I pay very close attention to my gut instinct. The fear I dealt with when I first started out was less about being afraid to climb because of exposure and more about performance anxiety from lack of experience. Was I strong/skilled enough to not be a liability to my partner? How would I react if something went wrong? Can I really trust the system to hold me if I fall? I still deal with each of these questions to some degree and new ones creep in. I approach them differently now that I have more experience and know more people who climb that I can talk to.

It's a little slow at work so I'm hoping to get an interesting discussion going. So please chime in. I've been reading Twight's book 'Kiss or Kill' and found his challenge about personal commitment to push one's limits and find out what is possible to be pretty interesting. What keeps you from making progress on climbing goals? a. Motivation/Commitmentb. Availability of partnersc. Feard. Physical limits/injuriese. Spend too much time on cc.com spraying about itf. Otherg. All of the above For me, my limit was fear, availability of partners with similar goals, and conflicts in priorities of where to spend my time (work/relationship/family/climbing). Fear is more under control now that I have more experience, and I'm working on addressing the other two.

Beautiful quote. Thanks for sharing it.

W - thanks for passing that info along, I hadn't seen that information. That's a disappointment. I hope things stablize soon.

From what I've heard most of the unrest is in Buenos Aries. Mendoza is a reasonable sized city, but I wouldn't expect similar events there. If it reduces the crowds on Aconcogua a bit that would be a good thing for your trip. The Polish is getting more crowded every year... For local information email Fernando Grajales. He and his staff were really helpful to us last year. His web address is www.grajales.net Check your email. I finally sent those pics I promised. Cheers! [ 12-21-2001: Message edited by: ehmmic ]

Okay so we're winding up another year and 2002 is fast approaching. It's annual review time at work and that always leads to some personal reflection for me. Warning: If this is too touchy feely for some of you spray lords, get over yourselves! A year ago today I was in South America on my first expedition, on the first day of the approach. Excited and scared sh**less at the same time. Back then I never imagined I would be where I am now. Living in Seattle, part of a new community, with a good group of trad climbing pals, and loving nearly every minute of it. Life is sweet!

Dr. Jay, Mmmm. Vodka. You've hit upon my weakness! Well no actually it means a couple pints of Fat Tire. Since I'm driving myself tonight, the shots will have to wait until another night. Perhaps the next Ballard gig. See ya there.

See you boyz at the Swiss around 7ish. No dark brews for me this week though... I'm sticking to the light colored drink! Cheers!

Remember to ask her about herself, interests, etc. and you'll score big points. Oh yeah, make sure you listen to what she says too.

Dru went to the Banff film fest?!? I recall a rather strong rant against wasting any time or money at that event... I went too and it was fun.

Sorry, Cavey. I didn't know I was being spied on. If you sent a pm I didn't get it. p.s. still can't chat either. Hey! where's the beer toasting gremlins? [insert those here...] Will you grace us with your presence in Ballard tonight?

Passing some time at work, roaming around this site and noticed the "Users Online" link. Hadn't noticed before that this linked to more detail. I could see where in the site everyone was, refreshed a couple minutes later and saw where they went to. Pretty cool! I've gotta find some work to do...

Here are the details for tonight's Ballard drinking festivities. Hattie's Hat5231 Ballard Ave NWSeattle, WA 98107(206) 784-0175 If you need a map try http://maps.yahoo.com/ I'll be there around 6ish.

Let's drink in Ballard this week and figure out a compromise for an location in between Tacoma and Seattle for a future week. I heard Hattie's Hat on Ballard Ave was a hit last time. Any objections? Dwayner - bring the tape we talked about and I'll buy you a beer.

A former climbing partner and I built a small wall (3 4'x 8'plywood sheets) in his living room about 5 years ago. We used a system similar to what Matt described, hinged panels with the top one roped through eyebolts in the exposed beams in the ceiling so we could adjust the overhang. It was really fun to build and use. Although it may have been the beginning of the end for him and his girlfriend. She wasn't too happy about having the wall in the apartment...

Alison Hargraves climbed Everest solo without oxygen from the North side in 1995. I believe that supplies are driven in to the base camp, which is more convenient access for a solo attempt than the Solo Khumbu.

What's the bouncing one running into? A mirror? [ 11-29-2001: Message edited by: ehmmic ]

Sounds like an interesting brew Terminal. If it's a hit at the ice fest, perhaps you can supply cc.com's spring rope up as well.

Dave - Can you bring the Darrington pictures? Thanks.

TNF is actually owned by another clothing magnet called VF Companies (Vanity Faire). They also own upstanding leading fashion brands like Lee jeans...

Ants Marching by Dave Matthews